Mid December Meteor Shower Promises to be the Best of the year

As some of you know, I’m an amateur Astronomer. Although I’m eagerly awaiting late February when Saturn will be the closest to the Earth, I’m gearing up for a spectacular meteor shower next Thursday and Friday.

The Geminid meteor shower promises to be the most spectacular of the year. The Geminids get their name from the Gemini constellation because the meteors appear to come from a the sky near the Castor star in Gemini.

The Geminid Meteors are usually the most beautiful and vibrant yearly meteor shower. The “Gems” are historically known to have a much brighter and slower display which lets most anyone see them if you know where and when to look. They are considered to be medium speed, hitting the atmosphere at 22 miles per second (yes, per second). The bright white meteors typically have a jagged path but leave few visible tails or streaks.

The Geminids are always spectacular, but this year’s is estimated to be better than usual. Last year’s shower was obscured by the moon, but this year the moon will eb a thin crescent setting in the south west around 8 p.m in most places. With the moon out of sight, the darker sky will certainly aid in the brightness and beauty of the Geminid shower.

The Geminids are estimated to reach their best show Next Friday, Dec 14 around noon in the US.However, we in the states should get a decent showing in the evening. Under normal conditions on the night of maximum activity, with ideal dark-sky conditions, at least 60 to 120 Geminid meteors can be expected to burst across the sky every hour on the average. if the moon is out or your close to a city you’ll see considerably fewer.

So what do you need to do to see the Geminids? For most, Gemini will rise in the north east sky in the early evening. So get your telescopes, binoculars, or plain old eyes and find a comfortable place to hang out for a couple hours. Ideally a place with few trees or other horizon-obstructing objects.

good luck and happy gazing!